iversen



L. IVERSEN Sept. 6, 1932.

ROLL LEVELER Filed June 28, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR Sept. 6, 1932. IvERsEN v 1,876,457

ROLL LEVELER Filed June 28, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Sept. 6, 1932. L. IVERSEN 1,876,457

ROLL LEVELER Filed June 28. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 6, 1932. L. IVERSEN 1,876,457

ROLL LEVELER Filed June 28, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE LORENZ IVERSEN, OF PITTSBURGH,

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO MESTA MACHINE ROLL LEVELER a ncauoa filed June as,

1 passed between a series of upper and lower horizontally disposed rolls.

In machines of this type it is desirable to drive both the upper and the lower rolls, and

0 it is desirable that one set of rolls be adjustable vertically with respect to the other. Some machines have been designed for this purpose wherein the individual rolls are driven through spindles or couplings, but this construction requires extra space and usually calls for a separate stand with driving gears for the individual rolls. Furthermore, the spindles and couplings when made to facilitate quick dismounting of the rolls are subject to backlash and to heavy wear. In other forms of leveling machines the gears of the upper set of rolls are meshed to the gears of the lower set, but upon adjustment of one set with respect to the other the backlash of the gears in some of these machines becomes so great that the stock is frequently marked. It has also been proposed to drive one set of rolls and to operate the others frictionally, but this has proven unsatisfactory. Other attempts have been made to use a chain drive connecting the end rollers of the upper set and the opposite end rollers of the lower set. A chain drive however allows backlash and is no better than the ordinary gear connected machine.

According to the present invention there is provided a machine wherein all of the rolls of the upper set are independently driven direct from a line shaft and all of the rolls of the lower set are individually and positively driven from a second line shaft. Less spaceis required for this machine than for a machine with the rolls driven thru individual spindles. According to the present invention the two line shafts may be connected to 1929. Serial No. 874,374.

be driven in unison through universal couplings which permit of the adjustment of one set of rolls with respect to the other but without allowing any backlash to develop.

According to the present invention it is also proposed to provide a leveler wherein each roll in either set may be independently removed as a unit from the machine without disturbing the other rolls of the machine. Furthermore, according to the present invention a positive feed for the sheets is provided by the use of pinch rolls located at one end of the machine and one of which is driven direct from one of the line shafts driving the leveling rolls.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which show one embodiment of my invention and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a leveler constructed in accordance with my invention, a portion of the machine being broken away to show one of the adjusting screws for the lower roll frame. In this figure the cover plate for the gear housing is also broken away;

Figure 2 is a view generally similar to Figure 1 from the opposite side of the machine;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the machine, some of the parts thereof being broken away;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the machine with gear housing and covers removed and with drive shaft bearings shown in section;

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section in the plane of line V-V of Figure 3, but on a somewhat larger scale.

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section substantially in the plane of line VI-VI of Figure 3, but on a somewhat larger. scale, this view showing'the pinch rolls.

In the drawings 2 designates the base of the leveler. This base supports a pair of stationary upper roll frames 3 and 3. Located under the upper roll frames 3 and 3' is a pair .of lower roll frames 4 and 4.

These lower roll frames are guided in the base 2, and are adjustable up and down, there being four screw posts 5 cooperating with fixed nuts 6 in the base of the structure on which the lower roll frames are supported, two of these posts supporting the roll frame 4 and two of them supporting the roll frame 4.

Each of the threaded posts 5 is provided with a gear 7. The gear 7.of each post engages a worm 8 on an operating shaft 9. The operating shafts 9 are connected through friction couplings 10, and are provided at each end with hand wheels 11. By operation of one of the hand wheels two of the posts 5 may be turned in unison to simultaneously adjust these posts up or down, and, by reason of the friction couplings 10 individual ad- 'ustment of any one of the posts is possible.

y reason of the lower roll frame being adjustable instead of the upper one, the use of springs for maintaining the spacing between the upper and lower rolls is avoided.

Carried by the upper roll frames 3 and 3' are a plurality of upper leveler roll units 12. Carried on the lower 'roll frames 4 and 4' is a similar series of lower leveler roll units 13. At the receiving end of the leveler is an upper pinch roll 14 which is also supported in the upper roll frames. The upper pinch roll 14 cooperates with a lower pinch roll 15 which is supported on the base 2.

Each of the upper roll units comprises the roller 12 having a reduced extension 12a at one end thereof provided with a ball bearing 12b in a socket 120 in the roll frame 3. On the opposite end of each of the upper rolls 12 is a neck portion 12d extending into an opening 126 in the upper roll frame 3, which opening has a diameter not less than the diameter of the roll 12. Projecting beyond the neck 12d is an extension 12f. This end of the roll is supported in ball bearings 129. On the outer end of each of the extensions 12f is a gear wheel 12h.

The lower leveler rollers 13 are substantially the same as the upper roll units 12, but

are reversed end for end with respect to the.

upper rolls. The lower roll units each comprise the roll 13 having a reduced extension 13a engaging in a ball bearing 13b in a socket 130 in the lower roll frame 4. The other end of each of the lower roll units 13 is provided with a neck portion 13d extending into an opening 136 whose diameter is not less than the diameter of the lower roll 13. At the end of the neck portion 130? is a reduced extension 13;" which carries a gear 13h. This end of the shaft is provided with a ball bearing 13g.

The arrangement for the upper roll unit 12 is such that when the gear housing or cover 16 is removed the entire roll unit may be slipped endwise through the opening 126 out of the frames without disturbing any of the other rollers. Likewise, each of the lower roll units may be removed bodily endwise upon removal of the gear cover 17 without disturbing any of the other rolls.

Extending lengthwise of the upper roll frame 3 is a line shaft 18 having a plurality of spiral gears 19 thereon for cooperation with the spiral gears 12h of the several roll units. The line shaft 18 is provided at one end with aspiral gear 20 which meshes with a similar gear 21 on a drive shaft 22. The drive shaft 22 is provided with a coupling 23 by means of which it may be connected with a suitable driving mechanism.

Extending lengthwise of the lower frame member 4 is a line shaft 24 having a plurality of spiral gears 25 thereon which mesh with the spiral gears 13h of the lower roll units 13. The line shaft 24 is also provided with a spur gear 26 meshing with a similar gear 27 on a jack shaft 28 supported at one side of the frame member 4 and slightly above the shaft 24. The jack shaft 28 is provided with a spiral gear 29, meshing with a spiral gear 30. on a transverse shaft 31. The shaft 31 is: connected with the drive shaft 22 through universal couplings 32 and 33 and connecting shaft 34.

By reason of this arrangement both sets of rolls 12 and 13 are positively driven from the single drive shaft 22, each roll unit being individually driven. The universal cou plings 32 and 33 together with connecting shaft 34 permit the lower frames to be adjusted vertically with respect to the upper ones without developing any lost motion or backlash in the driving connections.

The pinch rolls 14 and 15 are also removable from the machine without disturbing the other rolls. The arrangement of the pinch rolls in the machine is best shown in Figure 6. The upper roll 14 has a neck 35 at one end thereof which is received in a bearing 36 set in an opening 37 in the upper fixed roll frame 3'. The diameter of the opening 37 is such as to permit of the removal of the upper pinch roll 14 endwise through the opening. The opening 37 is covered by a cap 38. At the opposite end of the upper roll 14 is a neck 39 Supported in bearing 40 in an opening 41 in the upper roll frame 3. At the end of the neck portion 39 is a spiral gear 42 meshing with a gear 43 on the upper line shaft 18.

The lower pinch roll 15 is carried in bearings 44 which are vertically slidable in guideways 45 in the frame of the machine. The bearings 44 are yieldably supported on springs 46, and the pressure of the springs 46 can be adjusted through the adjustment of the bolts 47 at the. bottom of the springs. To remove the upper pinch roll it is merely necessary to remove the cap 38, and slip the upper roll unit 14 endwise through this opening, the bearings and gear of course being removed with the roll as a unit. To remove the lower pinch roll 15 it is necessary to first remove the upper roll.

The upper roll frame 3" and the lower roll frame 4 are in vertical alignment, and have opposite extensions 3a and 4a respectively (see Figure 5) which overlap. Likewise, the upper roll frame 3 and the lower roll frame 4' have opposite portions 3b and 46 respectively which are in overlapping relation. In Figure 5 the adjustable roll frames are near the upper limit of their adjustment.

The machine provides a roll leveler wherein there is a common drive shaft for driving all of the leveling rolls, and all of the leveling rolls are operated independently of each other, each having its own driving gear. There is no roll driven by being directly geared to another. By reason of the fact that the lower roll frames are adjustable with respect to the upper roll frames, the spacing between the rolls can be maintained without the use of springs, inasmuch as the lower roll frames drop away from the upper ones by gravity when the supporting posts are let down.

The machine furthermore provides for the positive feed of plates or sheets therethrough by the provision of the power driven pinch roll 14 which is geared to the same line shaft that drives the upper leveling rolls. The grip of the lower pinch roll is adjustabl by means of the adjustment for the spring pressure whereby suflicient pressure can be maintained to prevent slippage of the stock between the rolls. 1

Furthermore, the machine provides a structure wherein each of the leveling rolls can be removed without disturbing any of the other leveling rolls, and one roll can be substituted for another with very little trouble. Furthermore, the pinch rolls can be removed and replaced without disturbing any of the other rolls of the machine. The entire structure is relatively simple, and all of the parts are readily accessible.

While I have shown and described one particular embodiment of myinvention, it

will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the particular form herein illustrated and described but may be otherwise embodied, such other embodiments being within the scope and contemplation of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a roll leveling machine, a pair of stationary frame members, a plurality of rolls mounted thereon, a pair of adjustable frame members, a plurality of rollers mounted thereon, a line shaft for driving the rolls on the stationary frame members, and a sec- 0nd line shaft for driving the rolls supported by the adjustable frame members.

2. In a roll leveling machine, a pair of stationary frame members, a plurality of rolls mounted thereon, a pair of adjustable frame members, a plurality of rollers mounted thereon, a line shaft for driving the rolls v 3. In a roll leveling machine, a pair of stationary frame members, a plurality of rolls mounted thereon, a pair of adjustable frame members, a plurality of rolls mounted thereon, a line shaft for driving the rolls on the stationary frame members, a second line shaft for driving the rolls supported by the adjustable frame members, and a common driving means for both of said line shafts, said driving means including a flexible connection through which the power is transmitted to the line shaft on the adjustable frame member.

4. A roll leveler machine comprising an upper series of horizontally extending rolls, a lower series of horizontally extending rolls, one series of rolls being mounted for movement toward and away from the other, a line shaft individually geared to the several rolls of the upper series, and a line shaft individ-. ually geared to the several rolls of the lower series, a common driving means for the rolls of both series, said driving means including a flexible coupling for driving the line shaft of the adjustable series of rolls.

5. A roll leveler machine comprising a plurality of upper rolls and supporting means therefor, a plurality of lower rolls and supporting frame members therefor, and a plurality of adjustable posts on which the supporting frame members for the lower series of rolls are carried.

6. A roll leveler machine comprising a plurality of upper rolls and supporting means therefor, a plurality of lower rolls and supporting frame members therefor, a plurality of adjustable posts on which the supportlng frame members for thelower series of rolls are carried, and means for selectively adjusting some of the posts in unison or independently of each other.

7. A roll leveler machine comprising a plurality of upper roll members and a stationary frame for supporting the same, a series of lower roll units and vertically movable frame members for supporting said units, and screw posts on which the movable frame members are carried whereby the lower roll units may be adjusted with respect to the upper roll units and the working clearance between the upper and lower end units be maintained by the weight of the lower roll units and the supporting frame members therefor.

8. In a roll leveler machine, a plurality of roll units, supporting frame members provided with transverse openings for receiving the units, each unit comprising a roll, a driving gear and demountable bearings, each unit being directly and separately removable in an endwise direction from the supporting frame members through said opening without disturbing the other roll units.

9. In a roll leveler machine, a pair of supporting frame members, one of said frame members having a plurality of transverse openings therethrough, and a plurality of roll units supported by the frame members, each roll unit comprising a roll having a driving gear at one end thereof, and a dem-ountable bearing received in one of said openings in the frame member, said roll unit being removable from the frame through the opening.

10. A roll leveler machine comprismg a pair of stationary supporting frame members, a plurality of roll units mounted therein, a pair of adjustable frame members, a plurality of roll units mounted in said a djustable frame members, the said roll units each comprising a roll with a driving gear and bearings, each roll unit being demountably supported in the frame for removal without disturbing any of the other roll units.

11. A roll leveler machine comprising a pair of stationary supporting frame members, a plurality of roll units mounted therein, a pair of adjustable frame members, a plurality of roll units mounted in said adjustable frame members, the said roll units each comprising a roll with a driving gear and bearings, each roll unit being demountably supported in the frame for removal without disturbing any of the other roll units, a lineshaft for driving roll units mounted in the stationary framed members,

- and a separate line shaft for driving the roll units on the adjustable supporting frame members. I

12. A roll leveler machine comprising a pair of stationary frames, a pair of adjustable frames, a plurality of roll units mounted in the pair of stationary frames, a plurality of roll units mounted in the pair of adjustable frames, said roll units each comprising a driving gear and bearings, said roll units being individually demountable from the frames in Which they are carried. 1

13. A roll leveler machine comprising two series of rolls, one of which is mounted for movement toward and away from the other, a separate line shaft for driving the rolls of each series, and a feeding mechanism comprising a pair of pinch rolls, one of which is yieldably urged toward the other, one of said pinch rolls being geared to one of said line shafts.

14. A roll leveler machine comprising a series of upper roll units, a series of lower roll units, a line shaft for the upper roll units, another line shaft for the lower roll units, an individual driving connection between the line shaft for the upper series and the several roll units therein, an individual driving connection between the line shaft for the lower series and the several roll units therein, and feeding mechanism comprising a pair of pinch rolls one of which is yieldably urged toward the other, and gearing between one of the pinch rolls and one of the line shafts.

15. A roll leveler machine comprising a series of upper roll units, a series of lower roll units, a line shaft for the upper roll units, another line shaft for the lower roll units, an individual driving connection between the line shaft for the upper series and the several roll units therein, an individual driving connection between the line shaft for the lower series and the several roll units therein, and feeding mechanism at one end of the series of rolls comprising a pair of pinch rolls, and a driving gear between one of the pinch rolls and one of the line shafts.

16. A roll leveler machine comprising a base, a pair of upper frame members carried thereby, a pair of lower frame members adjustably mounted on the base, said upper and lower frame members having opposite portions thereon which overlap, a series of rolls supported by the upper frame members, and a series of rolls supported by the lower frame members.

17. A roll leveler machine comprising a base, a pair of stationary upper frame members carried on the base, a pair of adjustable lower frame members movable up and down with respect to the upper ones, a series of roll units mounted on the upper frame members, each roll unit comprising a roll, bear ings at each end of the roll supported in the frame members, and a gear at one end of the roll, said roll units being removably supported and being removable from the frame members by movement in the direction of the axis of the rolls whereby each unit can be removed without disturbing the others,

a series of lower roll units similarly mounted in the lower frame members, a line shaft extending along one of the upper frame members and individually geared to the several roll units supported thereby and a line shaft extending along one of the lower frame members and geared to the several lower roll units individually.

18. A roll leveler machine comprising a base, a pair of stationary upper frame members carried on the base, a pair of adjustable lower framemembers movable up and down with respect to the upper ones, a series of roll units mounted on the upper frame members, each roll unit comprising a roll, bearings at each end of the roll supported in the frame members, and a gear at one end of the roll, said roll units being removably supported and being removable from the frame members by movement in the direction of the axis of the rolls whereby each unit can be removed without disturbing the others, a series of lower roll units similarly mounted in the lower frame members, a line shaft extending along one of the upper frame members and individually geared to the several roll units supported thereby and a line shaft extending along one of the lower frame members and geared to the several lower roll units individually, the line shafts of the two series being on opposite sides of the machine, and a common drive for both line shafts.

19. In a roll leveler machine, a pair of supporting frame members, a series of several roll units supported thereby, each roll unit being bodily demountable from the supporting frame members, and comprising a roll having a reduced extension at each end thereof with a bearing on each extension, and a driving gear on the extension at oneend thereof, and a line shaft extending along one of the frame members and having a plurality of gears thereon cooperating with the gears of the several roll units.

20. In a roll leveler machine, a pair of supporting frame members, a series of several roll units sup-ported thereby, each roll unit belng bodily demountable from the supporting frame members, and comprising a roll having a reduced extension at each end thereof with a bearing on each extension, and a driving gear on the extension at one end thereof, and a line shaft extending along one of the frame members having a plurality of gears thereon cooperating with the gears of the several roll units, the several roll units being removable from the frame members endwise through an opening in one of the frame members.

21. In a roll leveler machine, a pair of supporting frame members, a series of several roll units supported thereby, each roll unit being bodily demountable from the supporting frame members, and comprising a roll having a reduced extension at each end thereof with a bearing on each extension, and a driving gear on the extension at one end thereof, and a line shaft extendingalong one of the frame members having a plurality of gears thereon cooperating with the gears of the several roll units, the several roll units being removable from the frame members endwise through an opening in one of the frame members, a second pair of supporting frame members having similarly supported roll units thereon, the roll units of the second series being removable endwise from the opposite side of the machine from the first Sbl'lbL, and a line shaft for driving the rolls of the second series extending along one of the second pair of frame members on the opposite side of the machine from said first line shaft.

22. A roll leveler machine comprising a base, a pair of spaced supporting frame members carried on the base, a plurality of roll units carried on said supporting frame members, a second pair of supporting frame members adjustably mounted on the base for movement vertically with respect to the first sup-porting frame members, a series of roll units mounted on the said second pair of supporting frame members, a line shaft ex tending along one of the first frame members, a line shaft extending along one of the second frame members, individual driving connections between the first line shaft and the individual roll units of the first series, individual driving connections between the line shaft and the several roll units of the second series, and feeding means comprising a pair of pinch rolls one of which is located above the other, the upper one being directly geared to the upper line shaft, the lower pinch roll being adjustably supported on the base of the machine independently of either of said series of rolls.

23. In a roll leveler, an upper series of rolls, a lower series of rolls, one set of rolls being adjustable vertically With respect to the other, a line shaft for driving the rolls of the upper series, and a line shaft for driving the rolls of the lower series, said line shafts being located respectively at opposite ends of the rolls, the line shaft which drives the vertically adjustable rolls being also adjustable vertically.

24. In a roll leveler, an upper series of rolls, a lower series of rolls, one set of rolls being adjustable vertically with respect to the other, a line shaft for driving the rolls of the upper series, and a line shaft for driving the rolls of the lower series, said line shafts being located respectively at opposite ends of the rolls, the line shaft which drives the vertically adjustable rolls being also adjustable vertically, there being means for interconnecting said line shafts for rotation in unison.

25. In a roll leveler, an upper series of rolls, a lower series of rolls, one set of rolls being adjustable vertically with respect to the other, aline shaft for driving the rolls of the upper series, and a line shaft for driving the rolls of the lower series, said line shafts being located respectively at opposite ends of the rolls, the line shaft which drives the vertically adjustable rolls being also adjustable vertically, the line shafts for the respective rolls being removably supported.

26. In a roll leveler, side frames, an upper series of rolls mounted in said frames and being arranged for individual endwise removal therefrom tlfrough the frames in one 7 direction, a lower series of rolls mounted in said frames and being-arranged for endwise removal therefrom through the frames in the opposite direction, and driving means for said series of rolls.

27. In a roll leveler, side frames, an upper series of rolls mounted in said frames for individual endwise movement therefrom in one direction, a lower series of rolls mounted in said frame for endwise movement in the 0pposite direction, and driving means for said rolls, said driving means comprising a pair of line shafts, one located on each side of the frame with the line shaft on one side of the frame driving the rolls of the upper series and the line shaft on the opposite side of the frame driving the rolls of the lower series.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LORENZ IVERSEN. 

